So... regarding the strategy on this map. If two of the players head toward the center first, it's easy for the third to secure the islands on either side of his starting island. Then he can turn the radar dishes away, and prevent anyone else from ever getting there, winning the game before it's barely started.

Am I missing something here? You can't travel from the center back out to the islands, right?

Usually every player gets an island, if 2 players coincidently chose the same island I would advise the on that has another free island to choose from to turn away as otherwise it will be an autowin for 3th person.